Hunt getting a break

Hunt and Pee Wee Reese finished first and third for trainer Phil D’Amato in the Grade 2 Seabiscuit Handicap at Del Mar last Sunday. It could be months before they meet again.

D’Amato said Hunt will be given a month’s rest before resuming training, while Pee Wee Reese will be active in the early months of the Santa Anita winter-spring meeting, which begins Dec. 26.

Hunt rebounded from a last-place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Turf at Del Mar on Nov. 4 to win the $200,345 Seabiscuit by a nose over He Will. Earlier this year, Hunt won the Grade 2 Del Mar Handicap for owner Michael House.

The summer and autumn meetings at Del Mar in 2018 are already on D’Amato’s mind for Hunt.

“He’ll get a 30-day freshener, and then we’ll steadily bring him back in the middle of the meet at Santa Anita,” D’Amato said. “He’s earned it, and we put a bunch of races into him in a short period of time.

“We know he loves Del Mar. We can have him fresh and ready for Del Mar summer.”

Pee Wee Reese led in the final furlong of the Seabiscuit Handicap at 1 1/16 miles on turf and was beaten a length by Hunt. The Seabiscuit was Pee Wee Reese’s first start since a win in the Grade 3 American Stakes at a mile on turf at Santa Anita in July.

“I think the extra sixteenth of a mile off the bench might have done him in a little bit,” D’Amato said. “I think he’ll move way forward.

“The ultimate goal is the Kilroe Mile. How I get there, we’ll see.”

The Grade 1 Frank Kilroe Mile will be run on turf at Santa Anita on March 10.

:: Get extended Cyber Monday discounts on PPs, digital subscriptions, and more!